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Journalism of Courage
Not every billionaire’s journey follows the same path, and Snyder’s story is proof of that. Unlike many heirs who are handed leadership roles, the In-N-Out heiress made a deliberate choice to earn her place in the company from the ground up.
In a recent interview with Fortune, Snyder revealed that as a teenager, she waited in line with other applicants to land a summer job at one of In-N-Out’s California locations. She wanted to prove that her success wasn’t just handed to her because of her last name.
“I think there’s a stigma that comes with being the owner’s kid. I just wanted to be respected like others, doing it the right way and not getting special treatment,” she said.
Starting with basic tasks like chopping vegetables and serving customers, Snyder worked her way up without revealing her identity to anyone except the store manager. This experience, she said, gave her the confidence to carve her own path within the company.
Her leadership journey wasn’t without challenges. Taking over as president at just 27 years old, she initially felt pressure to fit into a certain corporate image. “In the earlier days, I actually wore pantsuits, and I did that because I felt like I was supposed to,” she said. Eventually, she embraced her authentic self. “You’re going to get judged either way, so you might as well be judged for being who you are,” she said.
In-N-Out Burger, founded by Snyder’s grandparents in 1948, remained a family-run business through generations. After a series of tragic losses—her uncle Rich Snyder’s death in a 1993 plane crash and her father Guy Snyder’s passing in 1999—Lynsi became the last surviving blood relative of the burger empire at just 17.
Under her leadership, the company has nearly doubled in size. She recently oversaw the opening of In-N-Out’s 400th location and expanded into new states, including Colorado, Oregon, and Texas. Today, Snyder has a net worth of $7.3 billion, but her real achievement is proving that success isn’t just about inheritance—it’s about earning respect and making an impact.
